Three weeks later, I was joining a reception which had a lot of people in power. It was my second time joining a banquet in public. There were more people I had never met and they were not related to our family. I had to be more cautious than last time because some people might have known the past Helia as well.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1okqGSHXK
My parents were busy with social niceties so they couldn’t always cover me when someone was suspicious toward me. I felt like I was sitting on pins and needles. I was so nervous that my hands were sweating but fortunately I wore gloves. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRV4HzMW0h
"Oh, isn't that Lady Helia? I haven't seen you for a long time. You have really grown up. You were that short the last time I met you! How are you doing?" 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vdWuURK7z
Damn it! 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhBiVHQzIY
According to the information I was given, he was Mr. Winston, who worked as a butler at our mansion just before the real Helia died. He was working for another family now.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWUxY2VvvG
He was one of the people I didn't want to meet at this party because he knew the real Helia pretty well. I guess I had such bad luck that day. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLuva3DHUZ
"Nice to see you again, Mr. Winston. I am doing great. I have spent a lot of time preparing to appear in public since you left our mansion two years ago. I felt so upset when you left because you were just like my second father who stayed with me since I was born. I am so glad to meet you at this party! How about you?" 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wz515GKro
Actually it was all a lie, I didn't even feel a tiny bit of emotion toward this man. He was just a stranger to me.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuvkdtBO1t
"As you see, I am doing well at the new workplace. My boss treats me nicely. My coworkers are all kind as well. By the way, I heard that you had a serious fever just after I left. I was so worried about you at that time. I thought that you were so upset that I left so you got sick. But it seems like you are healthy enough to join this reception today so I guess I don't have to worry too much.”
"Seems like someone is calling you, Mr. Winston." A woman was calling Mr. Winston on the other side of the room. I seized the opportunity to send him away.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyahXqr8hp
I couldn't stay with him any longer for my stress level's sake. I was feeling my blood pressure getting higher every minute I talked to him. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPUqjBJt8r
"It is nice to relive our memories, Lady Helia. I hope we can talk again soon. Now, please excuse me." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7RrY1uPy7
I gave him my signature smile, but was actually thinking I didn't wanna talk to him anymore. "Sure, I guess we can talk soon." I said and hid my unwillingness. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTALPmXXWu6
Mr. Winston walked through the room and said quietly "See you soon, Fake Helia." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeIVoXroPs
I was shocked but I tried pretty hard not to show it in my face. He slowly walked over to my side. He put a tiny slip of paper in my hands. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUxrS1eq10
It said "See you tonight at eleven o’clock at the back door at your mansion. Come by yourself. Otherwise, I will expose your true identity."
Later I went to the back door on my own. Mr.Winston was there already. "Good evening, Fake Helia. I am glad that you came on time."
"I don't know what you are talking about. I came here just because it's rude to not come to meet someone I have known for that long."
"Let's pretend how it is, but you can't lie to me. This is our second meeting. Isn't it? Ms. Emma." Mr. Winston said. There was no use acting in front of this man. I gave up playing Helia after realizing that. "What is your intention?" I asked.
"Nothing. If I said that, would you trust me?" he asked.
"Please don't joke with me at this time."
"I am not joking but just lying." He answered. "I know all about your identity, goals and your past. Also, the fact you came to meet with me proves that you are not the real Helia. You are full of flaws in your actions."
"I know that.” I told him. “That's why I came here to shut your mouth off. Don't worry. I won't kill you."
“Oh. How scary. But the threat doesn't work on me, young lady."
I pulled out my handgun from my pocket quickly and pointed it at him in case he was going to hurt me.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0LDLYgvzP
However, the handgun I was holding was much lighter than usual. Mr. Winston grabbed and showed the magazine already in his hands.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5eD2qp6aC
It was the magazine I had put into my gun before I came out to meet him there! 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2C4niazcx
"You're lacking experience at self-defending. If I want to kill you, you'll die when I pull out the gun so just realize your gun has no bullets inside."
Surprised, I asked, "How did you do that?"
"Is it necessary for me to tell you?" He smiled. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatyDgX4Ewc
Ah! He was such a cunning old man! He was exactly the type of person I was not good at dealing with. I gave him a cold stare. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4POZIOZso
"You don't have to glare at me like that. I am not your enemy. Ms. Emma. On the other hand, you should think about who your true enemy is." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcDVV4TuWK
I didn't think he was lying to me, but what did it mean? True enemy? 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOsocnuEHf
He gave me a little slip of paper and said "Don't you think it is ridiculous for a family that powerful to adopt you as their daughter? Even though you have the same appearance as Helia Woodhouse, it still doesn't make sense why they adopted you and let you pretend you are the real one. Why don't they just adopt another child from their relatives to make him the next head?"
I couldn't retort. What he said was undeniable. He continued. "If you want to know the truth behind this family even if it means you will lose what you cherish, then go to this place. You will find everything you want to know there." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAgX5pcSxT
He disappeared after saying that, and I stayed there by myself. Just like nothing had ever happened.
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